Electric connector.



E. F. WAKEFIELD.

memo CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILED AUG-27, I913.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

EDWIN I1. WAKEIFIELD, (PF GHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO;

an entree.

nnnc'rnrc connect on.

Lidih iid.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pmtgntgd Sgpt 21, 1915 Applicationfiled Blugnst 2), 1913. Serial No. 786,821.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, EDWIN F. IVAKEFIELD,

a'citizen of'the United States, residing at Chagrin Falls, in the countyof Cuyahoga and State ofOhio, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Electric Connectors, of which the following is a full,

, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a connector for electric conductors and hasfor its object the provision of a connector which is inexpensive, whichcan be easily applied or attached to a conductor, and, when attached,

holds or grips the conductor so securely that liability of accidentaldisconnection or loosening of the parts is. minimized.

My invention may be here briefly summarized as consisting in certainnovel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of partswhich will be described in the specification and-set forth in theappended claims.

My invention in some of its aspects may be embodied in severalspecifically diiierent forms which may be constructed in different waysand in the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein I have shown one formof my invention which operates successfully, F igure 1 is a plan view ofthe piece of metal which forms the connector and after the piece hasbeen stamped or blanked from a metal strip or sheet. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the connector constructed in accordance with the oneform of my invention here illustrated, the same being shown on aslightly enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of theconnector before the conductor is attached thereto; and Fig. 4 is asimilar view with the conductor attached.

Referring, now, to the drawings, it will be seen that the connector ashere shown is formed from a single piece of metal 10,

which is stamped by one operation from sheet metal. Ihis piece 10includes a body portion 11, which is adapted to be rolled, bent orotherwise formed into tubular or cylindrical shape, as shown in Fig. 2,so as to be'capable of receiving the end of a flexible conductor 12,preferably of the multistrand type. Extending from the body portion 11of the piece 10 aretwo projecting portions 13 and 14,the latter of whichis provided with one or more openings 14:

adapted to receive the projecting end of any suitable conductor, which,by any binding screw constructiom can be clamped to the part 14:. Theprojecting part.13 includes, first, a rather narrow neck portion 13which, in the formed or completed connector, extends or is bent backinwardly into the cylindrical portion 11; second, a substantiallycircular pdrtion-13 which is on the interior of and is bent transverselyacross the cylindrical part 11; and third, a substantially circular freeend portion 13 which is bent inwardly alongside the portion 13". It wil.be observed that the portion 13 is provided with a centralopening 13into which the end of the multi-strand conductor 12 isadapted to beextended, as shown in Fig-.14, and that the portion 13 is provided withan inwardly projecting spur 13 which is so located with reference to theopening 13 that when the tab or end portion 13 is bent upwardly the saidspur will enter into the opening 13 among the strands of the conductor12 and will cause the conductor and connector to be firmly heldtogether, making a good mechanical and electrical connection. It is notessential that there be simply one spur, for

two or more spurs 13 may be employed, if

The body portion 11 is provided along one' of its longitudina'l edgeswith a plurality of teeth 11, and along its opposite longitudinal edgewith teeth 11 The teeth 11 are adapted to be bent inwardly in the man.-ner shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to bite into the insulation of theconductor 12, and the teeth 11 are adapted to be bent inwardly over oralongside the tab 13 to hold. the same in place, although any othersuitable means may be utilized to secure or fasten together the portions11 and 13.

If desired, the connector may be inclosed.

for electric conductors comprising a tubular portiom and partsintegraltherewith and extending alongside each other substantially transverselyof the tubular portion, one of said parts having an opening foraconductor and the other adapted to engage the end of the conductor.

2. A connector for electric conductors comprising a tulnilar portion, aportion integral therewith and extending substantially transversely ofthe tubular part, said last named portion having an opening throughwhich the end of a conductor is adapted to be inserted, and a thirdportion bent adjacent the transversely extending portion and adapted toengage a portion of the conductor extending through said opening.

A connector for electric conductors formed from a piece of flexiblemetal and comprising a tubular portion, and two parts extendingsubstantially alongside each other, one of said parts having an openingfor a conductor and the other having a spur which projects toward theopening and is adapted to engage the conductor.

l. A connector for electric conductors formed from a piece of flexiblemetal and comprising a tubular portion, and two parts extendingsubstantially alongside each other, one of said parts having an openingfor a conductor and the other having a spur which projects toward theopening, and means for holding said part having the spur in said tubularpart.

5. A connector for electric conductors comprising a tubular portion, twoparts extending substantially transversely of the tubular portion, andincluding an inner part having an ppening for a conductor and an outerpart extending over the outer side of said part having the opening, andteeth projecting from one edge of the tubular part and adapted .to bebent inwardly over said other part.

6. A connector for electric conductors comprising a tubular portion, andtwo parts extending substantially alongside each other and projectingfrom one edge of the tubular part, one of said parts having an openingfor a conductor, and teeth projecting from the other edge of saidtubular part.

7. A connector for electric conductors formed from a piece of flexiblemetal and comprising a tubular portion with normally free ends, and aportion integral therewith and including two parts extendingsubstantially alongside each other, one of said. parts having an openingfor a conductor and the other having a spur which projects toward.

the opening, and means for fastening together the ends of the tubularpart.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

EDWVIN F. \VAKEFIELD.

\Vitnesses F. A. NEsBrrT, A. F. Kwls.

